Disclaimer: I do not own anything Transformer related nor am I making any profit from this story. Any original characters and/or settings belong to me and permission is needed from me before using any OC's/plot that I am currently writing as I have worked hard on the creation of this tale. Any similarities to other works of fan fiction are purely unintentional.
Pairings: Mikaela/ Ratchet, Sam/Bumblebee, Sunstreaker/Maggie/? (Well I know but it's a surprise), OC/Barricade and Starscream/Alexis.
Warning: Disturbing content in this story. You have been warned.
Trials of Hell
Chapter Four
The glint of starlight reflected off the windshield of a large navy blue SUV as it raced across the Nevada desert at an inhuman pace. There were not any housing establishments out this far as the area was rather remote and desolate. The only thing in the vicinity was an abandoned aerial graveyard. It was towards this destination the Cadillac Escalade headed.
Since arriving on this backwater planet, the Cybertronian had rarely left the established Decepticon base located in the northern reaches of Montana where there was virtually none of the human species around for miles. That suited their purposes just fine. Regrouping their numbers had been a high priority for the new leader Shockwave as they gathered intel on the Autobots and their allies. Many grumbled at the lack of action and were rather vocal regarding their disdain of the new Decepticon leader, most particularly Thunderblast and Thundercracker, the latter who was now Air Commander of the Decepticons since Starscream's disappearance.
In fact it was because of the aforementioned mech that the Communication Officer found himself in his current location. While having been completely loyal to Megatron for eons, the Decepticon had the same self-serving programming any of their faction had, albeit muted due to his lack of emotions. He did not see a victorious win in their future given the path Shockwave was on and as such took leave to track down the former Decepticon Air Commander.
Although his leave of absence had not been approved or even requested, he was not concerned. His loyalty to the Decepticons had never been questioned and as such he had more room to maneuver than most others did. Though Shockwave did like to keep a close optic on the Communications Officer as he was considered the only threat to his current rule since Starscream was no where to be found.
Something he planned to change.
Having no real interest in the politics that governed their kind, the large mech had no thoughts of changing the Status Quo until he had overheard a conversation between Thundercracker and Demolisher. Both mechs seemed rather spiteful of Shockwave and were discussing what the regime would be like if Starscream was in charge.
How the world would burn! Thundercracker had expressed wistfully.
Feeling a twinge of interest which to any other Cybertronian would be a burning desire, the Communication's Officer reached a rather significant solution.
Find Starscream and restore the Decepticons to glory.
So working in secrecy the past few weeks on developing a new program to track the Seeker's obsolete signal, he had finally picked up something which led to his current position out here in the desert. Starscream was here somewhere. He would find him and bring him back. Hopefully any damage to the missing mech could easily be repaired.
He let his thoughts turn towards the strange occurrence about an earth hour ago when his spark had twinged rather suddenly and painfully. After running a diagnostic he found himself in perfect working order but that did not prevent the sliver of unease that had taken root deep in his processor. The fact that he even felt that feeling, no matter how small, unnerved him. Feeling unbalanced and not liking it one iota, the mech was determined to ignore it.
After all, Soundwave did not do feelings.
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Sam clutched his cousin's hand from where she lay on the pavement having been pried out of Barricade's hand none to gently by Ironhide. Maggie was positioned next to her with Glen crouched at her side. The large male was very worried for his best friend, a fact he would deny vehemently if anyone asked him but it was all too obvious to the gathered Autobots and soldiers.
The area in a five block radius had been cordoned off by the government surprisingly fast. Now they were waiting for Optimus Prime and Ratchet. Given the nature of the incident it was thought best by all that the Autobot medic look after the two unconscious women rather than taking them to a hospital.
"How are they?"
Sam looked up to see Air Force Technical Sergeant Robert Epps crouching down at his side. The handsome man's eyes drifted from Aislinn before resting on the Australian.
With a sigh, Sam ran a hand through his hair. "Well according to your Field Medic Johnson, their breathing and pulse are fine."
"Well that's good then."
"Man, how is that good?! Mags here went through hell tonight and that was before tin man there chased us down!" Glen said angrily.
"Whoa...chill dawg. I can see the lady has been roughed up a bit. Wanna explain why?" Epps said evenly, his dark eyes flashing with…something.
"That should wait until we are all back at base." Ironhide said sternly. "Everyone will want to know about this and the retelling would be better to do only once."
"You're right big guy." Captain Lennox said joining the group. He gave a cursory once over, wincing as he saw the state of his fellow council members. He immediately called for blankets ignoring the sheepish looks on Glen and Sam's faces for not thinking of that kindness themselves.
While Aislinn looked banged up a little, her clothes remained in relatively decent shape. Maggie on the other hand was a mess. Her blouse had numerous rips and tears while her skirt was near shredded and damned close to being indecent.
The wail of a close siren gained their attention as Ratchet hurriedly braked before transforming and approaching the two women and offline mech ignoring the slight twinge he was feeling in his spark casing. Swiftly running a scan over the comatose women and "hmmming" to himself the medic quickly assured everyone present that the females were in no immediate danger.
Optimus pulled up escorting a flat-bed truck that would be used to transport Barricade to the Autobot base in the abandoned warehouse district back in Tranquility. Remaining in his Peterbilt semi form, the Autobot leader kept a protective vigil of the surroundings as the Decepticon was loaded up and covered. Seeing the Ratchet now had possession of the human femmes in his H2 form, he opened a link back to base where the twins were monitoring the communications system.
/Prime to base. We are heading back now and request all Autobots to be recalled immediately. We will debrief when we arrive./
/It will be done sir. Sideswipe out./
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Bumblebee was cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway on his way back to his charge's house. Keeping to his current speed he would be there in a couple of hours. He was tempted to accelerate to his full speed which would cut his time down to just under three-quarters of an earth hour but forced himself to not draw any unnecessary attention to himself.
He had been deployed earlier for a reconnaissance assignment to check out a landing site of what appeared to be a Decepticon signal. Finding the empty pod was easy and noting the lack of tracks around the site pointed that the newcomer was not a land based Cybertronian.
Unfortunately.
Not having an aerial mech on their side, the last thing the Autobots needed was for another Decepticon in the air. While nothing had been seen of Starscream for a solar cycle, his fellow Seeker Thundercracker had caused a few cases of havoc of his own.
If this Decepticon was an air-based mech then they were slagged well and good. If only the legendary Jetfire or even the bookworm aerial tactician Skydive were here. At least that would even the playing field.
/Sunstreaker to Bumblebee./
/Go ahead 'Streaker./
/The boss Bot wants you to return to base as fast as your slow aft can carry you./
Bristling at the slight from the narcissistic twin, the Autobot spy responded coolly.
/On my way you ugly excuse for a glitch./
Cutting the link the young Autobot smirked in satisfaction. Sunstreaker would have his aft for insulting his looks but it was the fastest way to rile that particular mech up. The yellow mech remembered when the golden Autobot first arrived on earth with his brother. The twins picked the flashy alt forms of Chevrolet Corvette Centennials and were proudly showing off when a flock of birds flew overhead and several deposits of bird feces were dropped upon Sunstreaker's hood. The golden mech nearly short circuited before racing off to clean himself up leaving his twin Sideswipe to laugh uproariously.
Accelerating, the yellow Camaro raced along the highway easily weaving around any cars he came across at his high speed. Curious as to why Optimus recalled him when he was already on his way back, the spy opened a channel to the Autobot scout Hound who also was on a reconnaissance mission with the warrior Bluestreak.
/Hound…it's Bumblebee. Come in please./
/Go ahead Bumblebee./
The yellow Autobot spy would have arched an optic ridge had he been in his bipedal mode at the exhausted tone from the scout whose alt form was a dark green Jeep Wrangler.
/Alright there Hound?/
/Yes youngling. Just resting my auditory sensors from Bluestreak's incessant prattling. What did you need?/
Choosing to ignore being referred to as a youngling, the yellow mech asked the older Cybertronian if he knew why they were being recalled to base. Receiving a 'negative' in response, the Autobot spy closed the channel and sped up even further, his curiosity burning.
He hoped Sam was not in the middle of whatever had happened. That human seemed to attract trouble wherever he went and it was a full time job keeping up with him. Luckily, Bumblebee enjoyed his role as guardian to the young Witwicky as well as his company. The two of them were thick as thieves and complimented each other well, particularly when they decided to torment the twins. Which had the unfortunate result of an ongoing prank war that had turned the Autobot base upside down several times already.
Feeling a strong desire to be by his charge's side, the Camaro sped up to his maximum Cybertronian speed, intent on reaching the base as soon as possible.
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Mikaela glanced up repeatedly at the unconscious patient while she made up two more of the five human sized beds that flanked the injured woman. Sideswipe had informed her of the arrival of two more injured humans that Ratchet would take an in depth look at once he arrived with them. Unable to do anything further, the aqua eyed woman casually pulled her wet hair back into a loose bun. Spying her IPod lying forgotten on top of her Tranquility Rescue bag, the freshly showered woman was determined to take a few minutes to unwind before the next wave of excitement drew her away from anything that would pass for normalcy. She was pleased to see that the seizure inducing flashing lights had been cut off while she had been in the shower. That at least was one more worry that was gone. Of course she had no idea what new worry would replace that one. Trying to pinpoint her mood to assist her in choosing an appropriate song was frustrating. One would think that picking a track would be an easy thing but it was significantly harder when she had so many thoughts racing through her mind.
Thoughts that tended to center around a certain Autobot medic.
"Aaargh!" She exclaimed exasperated flinging her IPod down on top of her gym bag. "God, just get out of my head!"
Her graceful form paced the room in her aggravation. Though as occupied with her thoughts as she was, she still had the presence of mind to check on the injured woman every few minutes. She wondered what the skinny girl had wanted to say before she lost consciousness. It was something about saying she was sorry. Sorry for what?
Her reverie was interrupted as she heard a loud commotion in the corridor before the Med Lab doors were loudly pushed open. A disheveled Sam entered the room flanked by a filthy Glen as the held the doors open. Captain Lennox and Sergeant Epps were the next ones through as they each carried a prone form.
Mikaela stepped back as Ratchet and Ironhide entered the room supporting a large black and white mech. The two Cybertronians placed the offline robot onto one of the med tables for the Autobots. Her eyes swiveled back towards where Will and Robert were placing two more comatose women on the human sized med beds that she had made up. It wasn't until she saw Glen brush the blond hair out of the face of one of the woman that she realized it was Maggie Madsen.
She gasped, horrified as she looked upon the battered body of her close friend. Taking a step closer she saw Sam grasp the hand of the raven haired woman and realized that this must be his cousin that he had to pick up from the airport earlier this evening.
"Sam?" She asked shakily.
He turned red-rimmed eyes towards her, grasping his cousin's hand even tighter. "It was Barricade." He said grimly motioning with his free hand to the Decepticon scout being restrained with chains by Ironhide while Ratchet busied himself with various scans of the offline mech.
"They're going to be alright 'Kaela. They're just unconscious from the shock of it all. They'll recover according to Ratchet."
"Optimus wants all of us to have a meeting when Bumblebee, Hound and Bluestreak get back which should be within the hour." Lennox informed the worried young woman.
"Maybe you should go get cleaned up man." Sergeant Epps said clapping the grime covered computer analyst on the shoulder.
"Nah... Man. I want to be here when she wakes up." Glen said quietly.
"Don't worry dawg. I got this." The handsome black man said. "I'll watch out for her until you get back. Though you know you gotta be at that meeting man."
Sighing, the big man nodded his head in agreement. "Aight. I'll be back in a flash."
Seeing as there wasn't much she could do, the beautiful brunette filled a nearby basin with warm water from the sink in the human side of the Med Bay. Grabbing a clean cloth she approached Maggie and began to carefully sponge off the dirt from her face and neck gasping at the dark bruising she found. Silently promising her friend to give her a proper bath once the meeting was over, she fetched some clean water to use on Sam's cousin.
"'Kaela, this is Aislinn, my cousin."
She nodded. "I figured. Don't worry I'm sure she'll be fine, Sam." Maneuvering herself between the two beds, the young woman began to clean the raven haired woman's face gently.
A while later after Glen had returned a loud crash startled Mikaela causing her to jump and drop the basin of dirty water.
"Damnit!" She muttered as she bent over to retrieve it. Ignoring Ratchet's shouts at Sunstreaker who had apparently dared enter the out-of bounds zone of the Med Bay. Shaking her head at her guardian's wrench throwing ways she politely asked one of the guys to get her some more water and toss her some towels to clean up with.
Sergeant Epps got her the water while Sam grabbed some nearby towels which she promptly placed on the floor to mop up the spill. She stepped cautiously on the slick floor as she moved the blanket covering Maggie further down her body so she could sponge off the blonde's legs wincing as she saw numerous cuts and bruises on her friend's bared skin.
"Who's that?" She heard a curious voice behind her. Not glancing up she responded "This is Maggie. Maggie Madsen. I don't think you two have officially met 'Streaker."
The golden Bot observed the woman on the bed his head cocked at an angle. "She's not bad looking for a meatbag."
Angry at his callous tone, the brunette whirled around looking up at the tall mech. "She is not a meatbag you big jerk! She's my friend!"
"Whoa, chill organic one. You know I meant no harm."
"Jesus "Streaker, why do you have to be such an ass?" Sam asked tiredly.
"Who lubricated in your Energon? Primus's sake, I was giving the human a compliment." The golden mech answered sourly.
"Just let it go, man." Glen said.
"What's going on?" A questioning voice asked by the doors.
"Miles! Get over here man." Sam exclaimed.
The lanky blond approached the humans, his face passive until he spied the still forms of three women, two of which were unknown to him. He scratched his head.
"So this must be what the meeting is about. Are they okay?"
"They will be." Mikaela said firmly ignoring the figure of Sunstreaker as he hovered behind her. Not liking the fact that he was not the center of attention the golden mech reached out a finger to poke the brunette femme in the back.
Shrieking, and for the second time in a few minutes span, Mikaela found herself jumping in surprise. Only this time the basin of water was flung into the air and she slipped when her foot made contact with the already slick floor. Flailing her arms she grasped for a hand hold and managed to retain her balance by latching onto Maggie's arm. Steadying herself, she reached out for the basin that had fallen on top of Aislinn, brushing her fingers against the pale woman's hand.
Sam watched in horror as a flash of light enveloped the three women.
"Not again!!" He cried out as he was blasted backwards from his cousin's side. He saw Glen and Miles pick themselves up off of the floor as both Sergeant Epps and Captain Lennox seemed to be rebounding off of an invisible wall that circled the three women.
"Primus…." Sunstreaker breathed as Miles steadied himself against the mech's foot, his blue optics fixed on the slowly rising figures of the three women.
"NO! Mikaela!!" Ratchet cried out as he raced over to the glowing orb surrounding the women.
Ironhide stood frozen in disbelief as he watched the events unfold on the other side of the room his spark flaring in agony. Through pain filled optics he saw Sunstreaker and Ratchet both grasp their spark casings in anguish letting out dual roars of pain that the Weapon's Specialist heard echoed from the other Autobots throughout base.
His dimming optics could barely make out the majestic figure of Optimus Prime as he staggered into the room. Loosing the battle to remain in working order, Ironhide slumped forward with a crash somehow still being able to register that his system had been overloaded from his spark.
What in the name of Primus was happening?
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A/N: Phew…that was something to crank out. Any thoughts? Questions? I'd love to hear from you guys so drop me a line please. It's nice to know if I've sparked your interest. Pun intended!
Oh yeah, the Chevrolet Corvette Centennial is a CONCEPT DESIGN, something that GM worked on for the movie Transformers Revenge of the Fallen and to show a futuristic look at that line of models. You should check it out. Just Google Chevy Corvette Centennial Concept and you'll be able to find it.
Also, for those of you who aren't aware, Jetfire is also known as Skyfire. I think that pretty much covers it but I'm probably missing some tidbit of info for you guys, in which case I'm sorry.
As always, thanks for reading everyone!
F.L.
**I had to repost this as it was the INCORRECT version of this chapter. The change is barely noticeable and easily overlooked, but from my viewpoint I couldn't leave the error. So for inquiring minds here's the change:
Soundwave is in the desert at NIGHT TIME not during the rising dawn.
Told you it wouldn't seem that important!**